The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role in our business community – acting as an advocate and leader for business interests in the region. We do our best to stay on top of the issues that mean the most to our members, and we’re consistently building relationships and working with public officials who also have the best interests of the business community in mind.

Representing some 450 local businesses and organizations, we are the voice of our membership. You can often find the Chamber weighing in on important legislation and political activity that may help or harm local businesses. Simply put, the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce utilizes the significant business community it represents to be heard and taken seriously at the local, county, and state levels of government.

Locally, the Chamber works directly with political and governmental leaders at the village, city, town, and county levels to sustain a productive and profitable business community. In addition, the Chamber is a member of the Business Council of New York State and the Chamber Alliance of New York State. Through these organizations, and others like Unshackle New York, we also conduct advocacy campaigns on a state level, leading to business-friendly legislation in Albany.

Our goal is to create preserve economic viability, create jobs and stimulate growth in Cortland County.

The Chamber office hosts a business consultant from the Small Business Development Center who provides professional consulting free of charge on small business issues. The consultant has extensive experience in our Cortland area business climate and maintains professional certification to keep his knowledge up-to-the minute. Appointments are made through the Chamber. To schedule your appointment, please call our office.

Our Chamber of Commerce has an excellent working relationship with our law makers on a local, state, and federal level. We do not endorse candidates but are actively involved in the education of our members and the public about candidates and their stance on important issues. To accomplish this we host a series of events during election season to allow members and the public to hear directly from the candidates. Our forums are covered by local print, radio, and television.

Energy

All Cortland County Chamber members are eligible to apply for discounted gas and electric service. Sign up with a Chamber-endorsed third-party provider today and save! Call or email the Chamber for more information.

Group Health Insurance

The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer its members low-cost group health insurance plans for businesses. The continued affordability of health insurance for employees is among the chief concerns of business owners. Professional representatives can help tailor plans to a client’s needs to keep costs as low as possible in an increasingly difficult environment. Our members have access to the answers and options they need through the Chamber’s relationship with the following providers:

• United Advisors LLC

   www.brgtrust.com 




• Tanner-Ibbotson, Inc.

  www.CortlandInsurance.com 


Long Term Care Insurance

Long Term care – and how to afford it – is a critical issue facing an American population that is growing older and living longer. Our chamber members receive special discounted rates on Long Term Care Insurance through our partnerships with our local providers. Call them today for more information and save over other plans!

• Long Term Care Associates
 607-756-8538 

   www.LongTermCareAssociates.net

• Pinckney Insurance Agency Inc.  607-756-8505   www.allstate.com/seizember2

The Chamber’s morning Educational Seminars are designed to provide the knowledge and expertise of business experts at no cost to our members. On a regular basis, the Chamber hosts 90 minute seminars on diverse topics such as: Human Resource Management, Social Networking, Healthcare, Continuous Improvement, Motivation, Workplace Safety, and Working with All Personalities.

For a schedule of upcoming workshops and seminars, please check our Calendar.

Remember – all seminars are FREE OF CHARGE for members. Registration is required to attend and available spaces fill up quickly!

The Cortland County Chamber offers its members a multitude of opportunities to market their companies’ products and services - to other Chamber members, to the business community at large, and to local community leaders and residents.

Whether it's hosting a Business After Hours, sponsoring a Chamber event like our Golfbake, or taking advantage of our e-mail communications program, downtown banner program, or membership directory, there is no more cost-effective way to introduce yourself to prospective customers.



Call the Chamber today for pricing, event schedules, ideas, and more information!

Networking Events
Find out more about how you can promote your business or organization with our Business After Hours, Connecting Communities or Networking at Noon events.

Click here to learn more.
 

Mailings
Offered exclusively to our Chamber members, our member businesses can effectively and efficiently complement their marketing program by placing a flyer in one of the Chamber monthly mailings or by obtaining the Chamber's database either in the form of labels or in an excel format. The Chamber staff will assist you in selecting which option works best for your marketing needs. There is no easier or more cost-effective way to reach the more than 450 businesses that comprise the Chamber of Commerce.

Ribbon Cuttings/Grand Openings
Has your business or organization recently:

• Opened its doors?
• Changed ownership or management?
• Moved to a new location?
• Been remodeled or expanded?

If so, the Chamber would be delighted to help your business or organization celebrate with a Grand Opening or Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.  Our friendly, capable Chamber staff has put together dozens of these ceremonies, and can help your business plan a successful event.  

The Chamber staff will help make things go as smoothly as possible by:

• Helping with press releases
• Helping with an invitation list
• Putting you in touch with other chamber businesses that can provide catering, deli and beverage services, publicity and even invitations.
• Promoting the event to our membership
• Providing the ribbon and bow
• Bringing the giant scissors

Please contact our office to discuss scheduling and how we can help!

 
Downtown Banner Program
Sponsorship of a downtown banner shows your company's pride in the Cortland community and also serves as a reminder to potential customers and clients that you believe in and support Cortland County. What a great marketing tool! The banners go up once every 16-18 months, with the theme changing each round. The Chamber handles all the details, and you may keep your sponsored banner when the new ones go up. The themes have been varied, including focus on Cortland's past, its four seasons, local residents in the military, and historic figures.

Membership Directory
Each year the Chamber prints a membership directory used by professionals throughout CNY and by individuals looking for information on local businesses.  As a member you are automatically included in this directory, once alphabetically by your name and once under your specific business category.  It’s a great way to be known.  If you’d like a copy please give our office a call.

The Chamber hosts two events to highlight our outstanding businesses and individuals. Each November is our Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet when we recognize members who have made tremendous commitment and investment in our community. New in 2012 is our Awards Lunch when the public has the opportunity to vote for their “favorites” in multiple categories.

The Chamber office receives dozens of inquiries each month from people looking for recommendations on the provision of local goods and services.

That’s the kind of credibility we have after more than 100 years of operation in Cortland County!

Your membership assures you of a recommendation over any non-member company – every time.

That’s a legitimate edge over the competition! 


The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce has a long history of introducing the rest of the world to Cortland County. Now, the Chamber's travel program introduces “Cortlanders” to the rest of the world. These learning trips are a chance for local Cortland County business leaders and community members to travel together to exotic locations that they might not otherwise be able to visit, at an affordable price, and starting right here in Cortland, NY.

The trips are open to Chamber members and non-members. All the travel details are taken care of, including transportation from Cortland to and from the airport, hotel reservations, many meals, tour buses, English-speaking tour guides, and more.

Previous Chamber Trips:

China 2011

In October 2011, a group of local business leaders and community members spent nine days enjoying the wonders of China. The group returned with marvelous stories to tell and comments such as, “it was the trip of a lifetime” and “we’re so glad we went”. Many have already asked when the next Chamber trip will be offered!

Future Chamber Trips:

We are in the process of planning a trip to Europe for fall of 2012 with a second China trip coming in 2013. For more information, please call the Chamber office.

The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce has designed an innovative program to offer webpages to its members. If you have ever wondered if your business needs a website, this is your chance to test the waters!

More and more people are using the Internet to research products and services – even local ones! Our Member Webpage program allows you to establish a searchable online presence and make your business information available 24/7.

The simple, do-it-yourself program allows you to change the pictures and content of your site yourself, whenever you want.  It’s straightforward and uncomplicated. If you are unsure or have any questions, we will work with you side-by-side in setting up your site.

Here’s how it works:

• Chose from three design styles (templates)

• Gather your basic content and information (logo, photos, a description of your business with hours and contact information)

• Notify the Chamber that you would like to have a Member Webpage.

• We set up your domain name (www.cortlandareachamber.com/member/YOURBUSINESS) with your selected template and provide you with detailed initial administrative instruction to help you upload your content and photos. You will also receive instruction in managing and editing page content and photos.  

• Web hosting is included for FREE

To see what your website can look like, view our template examples!

Contact the Chamber office to get started with your Member Webpage today!